Explore essential business operations through comprehensive leadership and management courses. You’ll learn to balance strategic goals with everyday execution.
Gain the essential skills and knowledge to excel as a Business Analyst with this comprehensive certificate program. Master Excel, PowerPoint, SQL, and Tableau while building hands-on expertise in data analysis, data visualization, and presentation design.
Learn the skills you’ll need to succeed as a business professional with our comprehensive applied business program. This program covers essential tools and strategies for project management, finance, marketing, data analysis, and productivity with generative AI, ensuring you gain practical, hands-on experience to excel in the business world.
Learn the essential skills needed to become a Data Analyst or Business Analyst, including data analysis, data visualization, and statistical analysis. Gain practical experience through real-world projects and prepare for a successful career in the field of data analytics.
Learn the digital marketing tools and strategies needed to succeed online, including SEO, social media marketing, paid search, and analytics tracking. Gain essential skills to promote a business and increase ROI in today’s competitive markets from top digital marketing experts.
Become proficient in Microsoft Excel and go from beginner to pro with our hands-on Excel Bootcamp. Learn functions, formulas, Pivot Tables, macros, and time-saving techniques to conquer all the key skills needed to excel in Excel.
Learn how to harness the power of artificial intelligence to transform your workflow with hands-on training in ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. This course will teach you how to generate content, streamline tasks, and integrate AI into business communication, writing, analysis, and productivity tools.
Boost your social media marketing skills and stay on top of trends with our certificate program. Learn to create effective strategies on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, and X (formerly known as Twitter) to grow your online following and stand out in the marketplace.
Master Excel, review corporate finance, and build a valuation model on a public company. Gain basic and intermediate Excel skills and learn how to read financial statements, build valuations, and predict market trends.
Join our accelerated bootcamp to start your journey towards becoming a successful project manager. Learn the five phases of project management, project management tools, and strategies, as well as gain an understanding of different project methodologies such as Waterfall, Critical Path, and Agile.
A business refers to any organization that offers goods and services to a community for profit. Though businesses are generally looking for an exchange of money, non-profit organizations exist to help social causes, and in those cases, profit is not monetary. The modern-day business structure has been around for thousands of years and began with the trade of necessary materials in early civilization. These days, it is a vital part of a functioning economy, as it creates profit that can be turned into wages, benefits, and salaries for the community to live on. Businesses provide us with goods and services that streamline our day-to-day lives and help us make more efficient use of our time. From the cell phones we use to the food we eat, business touches everything we do.
Business professionals use skills like strategic planning, research, and data analysis to make more informed decisions about business strategies. For those joining the corporate world, these skills can translate into projects that benefit the company. Strategic planning is important in making sure that a company is on track to meet goals and deadlines. Data analysis is frequently used to guide a company’s customer service efforts, as it provides insight into customer needs. These skills are used in collaboration on a team to ensure well-rounded decision-making. Because of the deep business culture in the United States, professionals who go into business often acquire skills that are easily transferable to other industries.
Business may seem like a purely professional topic, but there are many personal uses for business-related skills. You can use business principles to organize and manage your day-to-day life. If you can analyze finances, you can create an efficient budget for yourself and set realistic financial goals. Knowing project management can help with event planning and other logistics. If you are particularly passionate about starting a business, knowing the essentials can also help you in entrepreneurial pursuits, like freelancing or starting a side business.
Creative individuals can join the marketing and advertising side of business. Companies are always looking for new ways to engage with consumers and bring products and services to their attention. Marketing is an extremely important tool for boosting interest and creating new customers. Advertising is a form of marketing that focuses on persuasive messaging, and in the age of social media, it is a highly effective form of marketing. If you are good at writing blogs, creating content, or engaging with others online, there are career paths that you can take in the business industry.
Learning business allows you to become an active participant in the economy. It not only makes you a knowledgeable employee, but it also makes you an informed consumer. Engaging with business helps shape your critical and strategic thinking, which can lead to more effective management and communication. Additional skills like financial literacy, decision-making, and self-advocacy can be used in a diverse range of personal, professional, and societal contexts. Because business is so prominent in today’s society, learning the foundations can be extremely beneficial.
Many business classes offer a curriculum that focuses on foundational skills for executive, administrative, and managerial roles. There are important soft skills that can impact your success in this field. Communication, decision-making, and delegation are vital to a functioning office, and even more so in a business setting where collaboration is high. Courses will review how to communicate professionally through email, proposals, or contracts. Other skills like leadership, conflict resolution, and problem-solving can further help with team building and customer relations.
Business spans a wide range of specialties. If you enjoy working with money, consider taking classes on financial analysis. Learning more about budgeting, forecasting, and investments will help in securing finance-related positions. Data analysis is an option for those who are detail-oriented and want to know more about collecting, managing, and analyzing data for advising clients and developing strategies. The field of business is well known for its data-related jobs, and classes may take a closer look at the types of analytics that are best used in this field, such as predictive and prescriptive analytics.
Comprehensive business courses will also dive into broader skills. Business students often learn one or more popular software applications, like Microsoft Excel for data management, QuickBooks for finance modeling, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools like Salesforce. Project Managers will learn software like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com to help with organization and collaboration. Learning these programs often leads to an improvement in your technological capabilities.
Retail and ecommerce in Virginia are vibrant industries that rely heavily on strong business skills. Retail businesses operate in physical locations, while ecommerce businesses sell exclusively online, but both require similar expertise to succeed. Business skills such as data analytics help companies make informed decisions about product selection, pricing, and marketing campaigns. Marketing and brand strategy are especially crucial in online spaces, where standing out in a competitive market is essential. General business skills like communication, management, and collaboration are valuable across both sectors. Companies in Virginia, such as Dollar Tree, headquartered in Chesapeake, 1-800-Flowers.com, with operations in Richmond, and CarMax, based in Richmond, use these business skills to optimize operations, attract customers, and enhance profitability.
Virginia’s manufacturing sector depends on business expertise to keep operations efficient and cost-effective. Manufacturing plants, where products are produced, require professionals skilled in streamlining processes, managing inventory, and coordinating supply chains. Business principles like logistics management, production planning, and quality control help ensure smooth operations. Virginia companies such as BWX Technologies in Lynchburg, Newport News Shipbuilding, and Smithfield Foods in Smithfield rely on business skills to maintain production timelines, optimize supply chains, and adapt quickly to market demand. As technology has automated much of the production process, these skills are increasingly important for managing complex operations and maintaining a competitive advantage.
The banking and finance industry in Virginia leverages business skills to manage client relationships, assess financial risk, and make strategic decisions. Banks and financial institutions use customer relationship management (CRM) systems, marketing, and data analysis to understand consumer behavior and attract clients. Financial analysis, including reviewing statements, ratios, and market trends, allows professionals to make informed investment decisions and manage portfolios effectively. Companies such as Capital One in McLean, Freddie Mac in McLean, and TowneBank in Virginia Beach rely on business skills to navigate market dynamics, assess risk, and drive financial growth.
Virginia offers a wide range of careers that rely on strong business skills. Financial Analysts and Business Operations Managers are in demand in Northern Virginia’s robust finance and consulting sectors, with typical salaries ranging from about $75,000 to $110,000 per year, depending on experience and specific employer. Meanwhile, Marketing Managers and Brand Strategists working with retailers or tech firms in areas like Richmond and Virginia Beach can earn around $70,000 to $105,000 annually, using expertise in market research, strategic planning, and digital marketing to grow customer engagement and revenue. Roles such as Human Resources Specialists, which are essential across nearly all industries, often see salaries between $55,000 and $85,000, with higher compensation for managerial or director-level positions.
In the public and healthcare sectors, business skills are equally valuable and can lead to competitive career paths. Healthcare Administrators and Practice Managers in Virginia hospitals and medical groups often focus on budgeting, staffing, and operational efficiency, with average salaries ranging from $80,000 to $120,000, depending on the size of the facility and responsibilities. In the government and defense sectors—significant employers in the Commonwealth—positions like Program Analysts, Procurement Managers, or Policy Advisors frequently require strong analytical, communication, and project management skills and can pay from $70,000 to over $120,000 annually.
For a broad education in business, consider enrolling in the “MBA” Business Certificate Program at Noble Desktop. This MBA-style course covers a wide range of material in a fraction of the time it takes to complete a traditional college MBA. You’ll gain the skills to become a well-rounded business professional by learning project management, key financial processes, marketing strategies, and data analysis. The program also includes practical applications of generative AI to enhance workplace productivity and efficiency. While the program is offered live online and in-person in New York, it also includes a self-paced module covering business law, employment law, and business insurance. In addition to the required curriculum, you can choose up to 60 hours of electives, ranging from Figma and SEO to stock market investing and financial modeling. Enrolled students also receive eight one-on-one mentoring sessions outside of class, which can be used for job support, tackling challenging concepts, or interview preparation. Please note, this is not an MBA degree program.
The Business Analyst Certificate Program is a beginner-friendly course designed to teach the essential skills needed to excel as a business analyst. Students gain hands-on experience with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Tableau, and SQL while developing expertise in data analysis, data visualization, and presentation design. You’ll learn how to efficiently query relational databases with Microsoft SQL Server, organize and manipulate data with Excel, and create insightful visualizations using Tableau. These skills prepare students to perform real-world business analysis, including risk assessment, project planning, and translating technical information such as diagrams and blueprints. Upon completion, graduates are equipped to solve complex business problems with accuracy and attention to detail.
Looking to provide onsite business corporate training for your team? Noble Desktop offers flexible corporate training solutions—both in-person and online—tailored to organizations of any size and industry. Investing in professional development not only strengthens your employees’ skills but also enhances retention, boosts workplace morale, and helps attract top talent. Teams can gain expertise in valuable business skills such as data analytics, financial modeling, and more through Noble Desktop’s corporate training programs.
Training can be delivered virtually, onsite at your location, or through publicly listed courses. For teams interested in open-enrollment classes, discounted bulk vouchers are available to allow employees to enroll individually. Contact Noble Desktop for a free consultation to explore the best ways to invest in your team with professional business training.
Virginia’s professional community is, without a doubt, an impressive one. The state is home to some of the largest companies in the world, and with its proximity to the nation’s capital, its connections to the government and public service sectors are undeniable. Needless to say, those looking to gain new skills in tech, data, business, or design are well-positioned to do so.
Virginia students can take classes at the modern facilities located at 600 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, D.C., 20024. This is right off L’Enfant Plaza. It’s a professional yet welcoming environment that allows students to jump right into their studies. If you’re coming from Virginia, you’ll have no trouble getting here. While the trip will depend on where you’re coming from within the state, those in the Northern Virginia (NOVA) region can hop on the Virginia Railway Express to Union Station and take the Metro for a short ride to L’Enfant Plaza. Driving is still an option, with various parking garages available to make the trip easier. Otherwise, there are bus routes connecting from NOVA to D.C. With so many options, attending classes and workshops in D.C. is convenient and simple.
Business skills help professionals across Virginia strengthen leadership, communication, and organizational decision-making. With this, the instructors at Noble Desktop draw on real industry experience to teach practical concepts that students can apply immediately in their day-to-day work. The school's instructors offer decades of experience and insight into the field that enables you to make a real difference in the Old Dominion.
A seasoned educator and training leader, Brian brings ample experience to the classroom, particularly in designing and delivering learning programs in project management and emerging technologies, like AI. He has created adaptive learning models that blend instructor-led lessons, live experiences, and self-paced study, making professional development flexible and accessible to everyone. Brian has also focused heavily on integrating AI into training, which helps organizations and professionals by applying AI to real-world situations that can fix challenges, assist leadership, execute projects seamlessly, and make more informed decisions. Beyond teaching, he has led curriculum development, managed large-scale training initiatives, and implemented collaboration tools that have led to higher retention rates and increased engagement from students.
Clarissa has over 25 years of experience as a corporate trainer, Project Manager, and Business Consultant. She has designed and delivered highly effective training sessions for federal agencies, private corporations, and international organizations, making her a well-versed and experienced trainer and educator. She is currently the President and CEO of Projections Training Solutions, which has trained over 10,000 professionals worldwide, including clients like the Department of Defense, NASA, Microsoft, and FEMA. Not to mention, her work has taken her to places like China, Japan, South Korea, Africa, Singapore, and the Caribbean. Her programs span subjects like leadership, project management, business analysis, and emerging technologies. At Graduate School USA, Clarissa is a trusted and well-respected instructor who teaches and helps develop several programs.
As a retired combat veteran who served as both an Air Force enlisted member and a Navy officer, Alan brings more than 30 years of experience across federal and commercial sectors. His background consists of work in budgeting, auditing, programming, operations, global logistics, supply chain management, and IT acquisitions. He has worked extensively with federal, state, and local governments, such as the Executive Office of the President and various departments (such as the State, Defense, Health and Human Services, and Education Departments, to name a few). Alan’s consulting work includes strategic planning and business development with the D.C. government, federal agencies, Lockheed Martin, and more. Overall, he’s a well-equipped educator due to his experience and expertise, but he also holds a teaching certification from Harvard’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning. His expansive background makes him a perfect fit to teach subjects like finance, accounting, and project management.
With more than fifty-five years of experience in federal and non-profit financial management, Johnny is a retired senior Federal Manager and Vietnam combat veteran. His degrees are from Herbert H. Lehman College and St. John's University. He has been working as an adjunct faculty member at the Graduate School USA since 2011, teaching Appropriations Law, as well as a range of federal budget-related courses, including finance and accounting. His career also includes leadership roles, such as the Chief of Budget Execution for the IRS Office of Chief Counsel and the Budget Officer for the Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General. His impressive career experience and education allow him to share his wisdom with others, fostering a supportive and structured learning experience.
Charles Byrd is an experienced Employee and Labor Relations Consultant with a strong background in federal human resources management and legal counseling. He obtained his B.A. in Business Administration and Political Science from Loyola University and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Baltimore School of Law before diving further into his career. Over the years, he has advised agencies on complex HR and labor matters, managed HR programs, and represented organizations in legal proceedings. In addition to this, Charles has developed and delivered specialized training in subjects like project management and human resources. He has been recognized for his professional excellence as well as his teaching abilities and leadership skills, acquiring awards and accolades throughout his decades-long career.
Natalya has been a part-time instructor at Graduate School USA for over 15 years, where she teaches project management, leadership, and human resources courses. She has developed original curricula, including Change Management Workshops and specialized project management programs. In addition, Natalya has served as an action learning coach and facilitator in government leadership initiatives. She runs her own consulting business, offering coaching and training for public and private entities. Moreover, she created the Define and Achieve Your Goals Process and is a certified Birkman Method Consultant. Her M.S. degree in Project Management from George Washington University’s School of Business provides her with the credibility and skills that have allowed her to excel in this field for so long. Between her experience and knowledge in the field, she’s well-equipped to provide insight into the project management field.